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Air Conditioning Filters Guide

Air conditioning is an integral part of many modern homes and air filters are important to the smooth
and proper functioning of the air conditioning system. Air conditioning filters are needed because they
keep dust out of the home and provide clean, cool air. According to James L. Kittle in Home Heating
and Air Conditioning Systems, “The air conditioning coil is designed with closely spaced fins
that are pressed on the actual refrigerant tubes. These fins collect a lot of dust and dirt.” An
air conditioner’s filter is what prevents dust and grime from building up on these coils, besides
improving indoor air quality as well. Filters come in a variety of sizes and can be either permanent or
washable.

Old and dirty air filters in an air conditioner will have a negative impact on
the performance of the system, causing it to cool ineffectively and affect the quality of air inside
the room or house. This will put people with asthma and allergies at greater risk, as well as waste
energy and money.

Here is more information on how cleaning air conditioning filters can benefit
the environment and one’s health while saving money, time, cost and effort as well as guidelines
on how to clean an air conditioning filter.

Benefits for the Environment

Dirty and clogged air conditioning filters lower the energy efficiency of an air conditioner. The energy
that is thus wasted will pollute the environment and add to the greenhouse gas emissions, further compounding
the problem of global warming. Moreover, clogged air filters will cause the unit to pull more energy while
delivering less cooling. This imbalance will have a negative effect on the overall environment. According
to the American Council for an Energy Efficient
Economy , cleaning the air filters on a monthly basis will help to increase the energy efficiency of a room
air conditioner.

Benefits for Your Wallet

According to the California Energy Commission’s
Consumer Energy Center, “The average home spends about $1,900 a year on energy costs.” Cleaning
the air conditioning filters regularly will not only improve energy efficiency but also speed up the cooling process
and therefore, reduce the need to have the air conditioner on for long periods of time. This would help in reducing
the power bill and enable homeowners to save on power and maintenance of the air conditioner as well. According to
the Consumer Energy Center, clean air conditioner filters can help save 1-2 percent of energy costs.

Benefits for Your Health

Clean air conditioning filters translate into cleaner indoor air and reduces the incidence and occurrence
of lung and breathing disorders, such as asthma, allergies and related diseases. According to the University
of Maryland Medical Center “Indoor air quality plays a major role in your respiratory health”.
The Center also states that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regards indoor air pollution to be one
of the five most urgent environmental problems in the US. Keeping air conditioner filters clean and dust-free
will help improve the indoor air quality and keep the home allergen-free.

Low Cost, Time and Effort

Cleaning air conditioner filters may seem like a complicated and time-consuming task, however it isn’t
difficult at all. Cleaning the filter will hardly take ten minutes at the most. One can choose between disposable
and permanent filters and perform quick and east steps to maintain them. Buy disposable filters in bulk to save
time, cost and effort and simply replace them every month. Permanent filters can easily be washed regularly and
reused. In either case, the time, cost and effort involved is minimal and is easily compensated by health benefits
and energy savings.

How to Change Your Air Conditioning Filter

Cleaning the air conditioning filter can easily be done at home and all one needs is a broom or vacuum, a hose
attached to a water tap and if required, a replacement filter. Homeowners should determine the type of air conditioning
system being used – furnace or forced air. In the former, the filter is directly attached to the air conditioning
unit while in the latter the filter will be over a vent. Turn off the system before touching any part of the filter.
Clean the area near the filter with the broom or vacuum. Next, remove the panel door by sliding or popping it open.
Remove the filter from the air conditioning unit. For washable or permanent filters, simply take the filter to where
the hose is and spray it thoroughly to wash off dirt and dust. Disposable filters will need to be bought from the
hardware store after being carefully measured for size (length and width). Replace the clean and dry or new disposable
filter ensuring that the guide arrows line up properly.

Types of Filters
– Description of the different types of air filters used in air conditioning units.